Saddlebag Brackets
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
Saddlebag Brackets
Last week during a 250 mile ride on Tuesday I discovered my right saddlebag was loose. Upon opening the saddlebag I found the locking pin at the bottom of the saddlebag. I replaced the locking pin and while the bag was much more secure it still didn't feel as ridgid as I would expect.
The graphic below is from page 2-115 of the 2007 HD service manual showing the orientation of the front saddlebag bracket. The orientation of the bracket in the inset picture is what I found when I removed my right saddlebag after returning home. Two questions:
1. Has anyone else found their front saddlebag bracket to be oriented like the insert picture?
2. Is there any reason to believe the bracket oriented like the one in the inset picture would not work as well?
I changed mine to correspond to the picture in the manual but was just curious as to what others have found and their opinions.
The graphic below is from page 2-115 of the 2007 HD service manual showing the orientation of the front saddlebag bracket. The orientation of the bracket in the inset picture is what I found when I removed my right saddlebag after returning home. Two questions:
1. Has anyone else found their front saddlebag bracket to be oriented like the insert picture?
2. Is there any reason to believe the bracket oriented like the one in the inset picture would not work as well?
I changed mine to correspond to the picture in the manual but was just curious as to what others have found and their opinions.
Last edited by peddler; Sep 21, 2009 at 12:48 PM.
Thread Starter
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Club Member
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,582
Likes: 72
From: North East
Just curious if anyone else has found the "alternate orientation" (insert picture) on their bikes and what their thoughts would be relative to any difference in functionality/performance.
Last edited by peddler; Sep 21, 2009 at 12:59 PM.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,398
Likes: 34
From: Newport news, Virginia
When I picked up my scoot new, all the brackets were all at different angles. When I took mine off to install my detachable hardware I snugged up the brackets and installed the bags. I then moved the brackets into the best position and tightened them up. The manual is just a guide. final adjustment is different for every bike.
Outstanding HDF Member
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 3,140
Likes: 17
From: Wisconsin
I think you might be putting too much thought in it, it's just a bracket and a "keeper" pin. Here is my suggestion:
Loosen the brackets enough so they can be moved.
Place the saddlebag so it is seated correctly on the bottom rail.
Maneuver the brackets so they line up with the holes in the bags.
Lock the pins through the hole and into the brackets.
Tighten the brackets up.
Close your saddlebag lid and ride.
On mine, they are not vertical or horizontal, more like at an angle would be the best description.
Loosen the brackets enough so they can be moved.
Place the saddlebag so it is seated correctly on the bottom rail.
Maneuver the brackets so they line up with the holes in the bags.
Lock the pins through the hole and into the brackets.
Tighten the brackets up.
Close your saddlebag lid and ride.
On mine, they are not vertical or horizontal, more like at an angle would be the best description.
Road Master
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 944
Likes: 2
From: Tennessee
The brackets have to be adjusted to fit with the bags. If you're not careful you wind up with the bags touching or rubbing the side covers. My bags were put on in a hurry at my 1k service and one of them rubbed the paint completely off on both the bag and the side cover. Mine are on an angle to keep them as far as possible from the side covers.
Road Warrior
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,325
Likes: 12
From: SE Florida
Peddler,
If you look at the inset picture closely, the entire bracket has been rotated clockwise, as can be seen by looking at the permanent attachment point to the bike. It seems to be a screw up by the publisher, to me at least. Mine front brackets are canted at around 45 degrees on each side,and the rears are canted a little less (I can take pics if you want).
I'd loosen the main bolts, attach your bags via the pins so that the bags are sitting all the way down on the rails, and then tighten the bolts. The back underside of the bags, the 'L' sections, should be centered first on the rail. You might have to loosen both front and rear brackets to get a fresh start so as to not put stress on the bag holes. (did that make sense???) Just my thoughts!!
If you look at the inset picture closely, the entire bracket has been rotated clockwise, as can be seen by looking at the permanent attachment point to the bike. It seems to be a screw up by the publisher, to me at least. Mine front brackets are canted at around 45 degrees on each side,and the rears are canted a little less (I can take pics if you want).
I'd loosen the main bolts, attach your bags via the pins so that the bags are sitting all the way down on the rails, and then tighten the bolts. The back underside of the bags, the 'L' sections, should be centered first on the rail. You might have to loosen both front and rear brackets to get a fresh start so as to not put stress on the bag holes. (did that make sense???) Just my thoughts!!
Last edited by Yachtman; Sep 21, 2009 at 01:29 PM.
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Road Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 959
Likes: 1
From: Westerville, OH
On the inside of your bag there should be a washer that goes between the pin and the rubber gasket. If it's not there then that probably your problem. I had all kinds of problems with my bags damn near falling off until I figured out what the problem was.
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Road Warrior
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,622
Likes: 1
From: Topeka, KS
I thought the whole pin setup was wierd and I didn't want to take a chance of my bags falling off. I got some bolts and plastic lined keeper nuts, all in stainless steel. Then I dremeled the old spring wires out of the connectors, ran the bolt through just like the old pins and bolted them on. They aren't going anywhere now.
